An Australian man recounted the harrowing experience of escaping a ferry fire off Bali, describing "massive flames" and drifting at sea for hours with broken ribs.

More than 170 individuals were evacuated from the KMP Putri Yasmin ferry on Wednesday after it ignited during its voyage from Padang Bai to Lembar on Lombok. The vessel caught fire around 4:20 a.m. local time amidst rough seas with waves reaching up to four meters.

Indonesian authorities confirmed one fatality, an Indonesian woman, and the successful evacuation of 172 passengers, including three infants. Two Australians were aboard the ferry: a 20-year-old woman and James Scooth, who sustained broken ribs after jumping from the burning ship.

Scooth spent approximately four hours in the sea before being rescued. "Big flames. Just massive, big. And then everyone panics and just rips (out their) life jackets. No lifeboats. No boats," he told 7News. "(I was) just floating. Four hours or something. Four hours I think."

The KMP Putri Yasmin was transporting 114 passengers, 17 crew members, 44 vehicles, and 53 motorcycles when the fire broke out. An emergency call was made nearly 30 minutes after the fire began, initiating a swift rescue operation that involved Indonesian navy ships, patrol boats, rescue vessels, and a helicopter.

Footage released by the National Search and Rescue Agency depicted passengers in life jackets crowded onto an inflatable raft in choppy waters, with thick black smoke billowing from the ferry. Dozens of survivors spent hours crowded on an inflatable raft

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement expressing concern: "Our thoughts are with those affected by the ferry fire off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. Australian officials are in contact with local authorities and are making urgent enquiries to confirm if any Australians were affected."

Indonesian authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated, "The findings will be thoroughly reviewed as part of the ministry's evaluation. This is a serious issue that will be thoroughly investigated."

This incident marks the second fatal Indonesian ferry fire in as many weeks. Earlier in August, a vessel carrying 271 passengers between East Java and South Sulawesi caught fire, resulting in five deaths.

One woman died, while the 172 other passengers on board were safely evacuated

Young children were among those plucked to safety

Smoke was still billowing from the burning ferry hours later